The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1887-02-07

had enveloped more or less the en-
tire group, as far as, and including
Oahu. What was cloud and what
was smoke were questions which
were eagerly canvassed as we sped
swiftly to the southward.
Four O'Clock brought us to Keala-
kckua bay, where we remained one
hour, almost everybody on board
landing to visit the scene of the
death Of Capt. Cook. As is gem
orally known, the monument which
commentaries this event stands on
almost the precise spot where the
unfortunate circumnavigator met his
death. The cocoanut tree with q
copper plate fastened to its trunk,
which marked the place before the
erection of the monument, has long
since disappeared. While we were
on shore our fellow tourist, Rev. s.
Il. Bishop, made unsuccessful at
tempts to identify the precise loca
ton of the house IN which he was
born, and which formerly stood
within few rods of the monument.
In this same house was also born
our friend, Rev. "A. O. Forbes.
AS the sun went down and the
twilight, gradually deepened into
night the study of the southern ho-
rizon increased in interest. Eager
eyes scanned diligently the heavens,
while two lookouts at the masthead
added their vigilance to the search.
We were now approaching point
where, were the eruption still active,
its light ought surely to have been
seen. But still we saw it not. The
captain endeavored to encourage us
with the assurance that when he
passed the flow on the last up trip,
although it was then glowing like an
immense live coal, it disappeared
completely from view within half an
hour after he had left it astern. To
which the more level-headed of our
company replied that at that time
the air was filed with smoke so
dense as to make it impossible to
see anything whatever at any dis
distance, while now the atmosphere
was comparatively clear.
About half-past eight the bell in
the engine room rang, the engine
slowed down, and we were informed
that we were off the lava flow. All that
could be seen, either by the naked
eye or with the aid of glass was
low black bank extending along the
shore and apparently ending to the
southward in a long, low, black
point. AS we steamed slowly along,
we occasionally caught sight of a
spark of fire, probably down in some
fissure and coming for a moment
into view rs we passed in its range.
Sounding for an anchorage, no bot
tom could be found at 30 fathoms.
A boat which was sent under com
mand of Purser Beckley to sound
closer IN shore found no suitable an
chorage until almost directly under
the bank. Sail was therefore hoisted
to steady the ship and we prepared
to lie off and wait for daylight.
There was little sleep on the Ki-
nau that night. All hands were ex-
cited, the young people were ripe
for fun, we had made up our minds
to be up all night watching natures
fireworks, and now the show was off,
the general disposition seemed to be
to make n night of it anyhow. The
ship fairly exhaied music, guitars
and accordeons mingled their tones
with the sharper twang of the uh'eke
and the clatter of castinets, while
voices of various kinds and qualities
aided in distributing melody as the
scientific gentleman would say,
from several centers. Long after
midnight shout from someone,
that fire was to he seen up on the
mountain, drew all hands to the
ships side. Peering anxiously
through the darkness, we could see
far inland faint but unmistakable
glow, indicating that Pele had not
altogether retired from business.
Even as we gazed, the light went
out, to be renewed, however, little
later Oh with somewhat increased
strength. We soon became tired of
straining our eyes for such a feeble
and far off manifestation Of plutonic
activity and turned our attention to
things on board.
Immediately afteE an early break
fast on Wednesday morning, the
boats were lowered and all made
haste to get on shore that they
might see what they could of the
lava which had indeed ceased to
flow, but which was still hot and
steaming. A landing was effected
without difficulty at the southerly
edge of the flow, where the new
lava running out into the sea made
an angle with the old shore line and
formed little cove between the old
and the new, which answered our
purpose admirably. Climbing up
the ragged bank on to the old lava,
which was pahOehoe of an unknown
date, we were at liberty to follow up
the edge of the new flow as far inland
as our time, strength or inclination
allowed, or climbing up on its sur
face wherever practicable could eX-
plore it so far us heat, steam and
sulphur fumes would permit.
The new flow is composed en-
f;pal,, for oc nn,lI hn oann nf n,